Stopping Counterfeit Drugs in Africa "Particulary Challenging"

A LancetWorld Report looks at global efforts to tackle counterfeit medicines, particularly in Africa, where it "is particularly challenging ... as pharmacies and hospitals are far from the only avenues through which drugs are available." According to the article, "not only is it important to tackle the network of criminal organisations involved in counterfeit drugs, it is also essential to increase the availability of genuine drugs in developing countries that are appropriately priced for local people. Counterfeit drug crime is a complex issue requiring international and regional initiatives among industry, government, charities, and law enforcement." The article looks at programs in Kenya, Nigeria and Tanzania and includes quotes from Steve Allen, Senior Director of Pfizer Global Security, Hamid Ghodse, president of the International Narcotics Control Board, and Paul Newton, who is part of the Wellcome Trust-Mahost Hospital-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Collaboration (Siva, 11/20).

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